Peer Feedback Natalie

Feedback of Natalie’s Reflection 1: 08/08/13

 http://natsworld2013.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/normal-0-false-false-false-en-nz-x-none.html

I enjoyed reading your reflection Natalie, especially how A knew about the technology but still asked an adult for the assistance. This to me shows that A has been given set rules and guidelines to adhere to when it comes to accessing the internet etc. It is up to us as adults to set these guidelines and boundaries for the children to learn, and to protect children from adult content. I love how A uses the correct terminology when it comes to the different technology; this shows her understanding of not only the different technologies but also the functions.

I agree when you talked about your confidence with ICT that may have led A to find you more approachable to use the computer. ICT is the way of the present and definitely the future, and it is up to us as individuals and educators to keep up to date with the ever evolving technology. We need to have a commitment to our own learning in order to make use of the potential technology has when it comes to children’s learning.

To further this experience for A, maybe she could with help and supervision download her favourite songs and place these on a cd to play on the stereo when she wants them. That way she has ownership of when she wants her songs played.

Feedback of Natalie’s Reflection Two: 12/08/13

http://natsworld2013.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/reflection-2-120813.html 

Natalie it was neat to read your reflection on how the boys were using the spade in the sandpit. Technology is there to make our lives easier and the boys figured this out together when they decided to use a bigger spade to work faster. Through the use of this low level technology the boys are using their ‘innovation’ or problem solving skills, putting their heads together and communicating their ideas to come to their desired outcome. As you mentioned ‘technology is an integral part of so many early childhood experiences’ and it isn’t till we as educators reflect on the children’s learning through technology how true this statement is . I agree when you talked about how you stepped back and let the children explore and figure things out for themselves. I’m a firm believer in letting children work out their issues, but also being on hand to encourage them to their own conclusions. This enables the children to develop their independence.

To further this experience the boys could work together and figure out with encouragement, other forms of technology to help them to complete their set task. Maybe having access to the shed to look at other resources to use that will make their mahi easier and more efficient. This also gives the boys the choice of how they want to proceed.

Feedback of Natalie’s Reflection 3: 20/08/13

http://natsworld2013.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/reflection-3-20082013.html 

Natalie I thought it was fantastic how you gave S the option of how she wanted to proceed with her artwork, both using technology by photocopying her work or making another one. It gave her ownership and power of how she wanted to do things.

With her choosing to photocopy her work, she was recalling her previous experience that was obviously successful and significant for her as she chose this path again. As you mentioned her sense of belonging is nurtured to “capture and retain her creations”, through the use of the photocopier.

A suggestion for an experience to further extend this learning, would be to use the different settings of the photocopier to do different things with her artwork. Such as blowing up her work and making it bigger, or making it smaller. She could then extend this further and make her art work into gifts for her family in the way of a card etc. This way she has the artwork to not only take home and share with her whānau, but to also give to them to have as a keepsake, displaying her learning and development through her art.

 

Peer Feedback Racheal

 

Feedback of Racheal’s Reflection One: 09/08/13

http://rachealclark.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/reflection-1-090813-yummy-yummy-i-have.html 

I agree with you when you state ‘technology is more than ICT’, and it isn’t till you reflect on how the children learn with all types of technology that it makes sense. With a simple recipe card, this technology using both the written word and images created so much learning and development for the children. As you mentioned the children were able to take on the responsibility for the learning experience instead of it being so teacher directed they were more interested in the final product. With this technology the children could become engaged and develop skills such as concentration, communication, problem solving and sharing with others, as well as the maths, literacy and science skills that has been incorporated. The baking experience has now become more meaningful to the children, therefore they are more likely to want to go through and enjoy the process again.

To further this experience, I thought the children could perhaps create new recipe cards with other recipes maybe from home to bake in the centre. This would involve the whānau to come up with their favourite recipes, and the children extending the learning experience through making the cards and using all the technology that comes with it, such as the computer to find the pictures, the words, and also laminating.

 

Feedback of Racheal’s Reflection 2: 13/08/13

http://rachealclark.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/reflection-2-130813-i-know-how-to-do-it.html

Racheal I really enjoyed reading your reflection on the boys using the computer to look up the difference between insects. You commented on how the boys were sharing their knowledge of the computer, and I think this really follows the concept of tuakana/ teina. It was amusing but also really significant when T put you in your place and told you that he could turn on and work the computer himself, he was just asking for permission. As you have had issues with mistreatment of the computers in the past, it was really good to read about T asking for permission, are these rules that have been put in place since the computers have been fixed? It really shows how competent and capable children are when it comes to learning and using technology.

A learning experience that could extend the children’s learning is printing out the pictures they have researched on the computer, to examine more closely and utilise for their own interpretation through drawing, art and exploring outside to find the real thing.

I fully agree when you say how beneficial ICT is to children’s learning, especially when the technology is used to its full potential. 

Feedback of Racheal’s Reflection Three: 19/08/13

 http://rachealclark.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/reflection-3-190813-we-just-need-ramp.html

Racheal I really enjoyed this reflection, especially the dialogue of how the children communicated with one another. They got so far with their play and goals they had set themselves and then came across a problem that needed to be solved. It is great to see children using their imaginations and the technology available to sort out their own problems without the need of teacher input. I thought it was fantastic how the children stopped what was happening and had a serious discussion together on how they were going to fix their issue. The communication and relationship skills were really apparent, with the children listening to each other, sharing their ideas and recalling previous knowledge and connections to their own worlds. Being able to share and contribute this knowledge is so empowering for the children.

To further extend on this learning experience the children could be encouraged to discuss what will happen next when they get their digger to the top of the mound. What further technology are they going to need? Will they need another plank of wood to get down the other side of the mound, or are they going to make their mound bigger? With the communication skills the boys are already displaying they will no doubt discuss and figure out the solution together!

Peer Feedback Joanne

Feedback of Joanne’s Reflection One: 08/08/13

http://joannesblog2013.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/reflection-one-8-august-2013.html 

Jo, I really enjoyed your reflection where the children experienced the typewriter. For such an obsolete piece of technology, I think it is fantastic children are given the opportunity to see different forms of technology that is not the ‘newest’ on the market. I thought it was great how the parents, teachers and the children collaborated to figure out how to get it to work! This extended to the younger children learning from the older children, working in a tuakana/ teina concept of learning and sharing knowledge.

As you mentioned “exposure to different technology will spark their curiosity for investigation”. This lead me to think of a learning experience where the children can further their knowledge on where technology has come from. Maybe, doing a project where the children can research the evolution of the typewriter, and how it has progressed into the computers that we use today. I think this will further children’s understanding of how technology begins and evolves. As you mentioned, when children can see the changes in technology, they are building the foundations for future learning and understanding. 

Feedback of Joanne’s Reflection Two: 23/08/13

 http://joannesblog2013.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/thoughts-to-paper-coloured-pencils.html

Jo, I thought it was fantastic that J made the decision for herself to collect and utilise the pencils. When children are able to make choices for themselves no matter how small they seem, they are taking ownership and responsibility for their own learning. I believe this develops their confidence in their own abilities to make decisions and become independent. I enjoyed reading how while she was creating her artwork, she was explaining what she was doing and how she was going to convey this to her Mum. Through such a simple tool as the pencil she is learning how to express her thoughts, feelings, ideas and to tell a story. J is also learning to recall her experiences and knowledge by taking home her artwork and re-telling this to her whānau.

I love how you conveyed through your reflection that developing skills such as communication is not all about digital technology, and some of the simplest resources and tools can create so much learning. To further extend her learning she could be encouraged to incorporate other mediums to add to her pencils, such as crayons and chalk, to explore with different textures and outcomes. Although this is entirely up to J to decide!

Feedback of Joanne’s Reflection Three: 20/08/13

 http://joannesblog2013.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/caring-for-environment-brush-shovel.html

Jo, what an experience for the children to be welcomed by when they arrived at the centre in the morning, the ground covered in a sea of pink. It surprised me to hear the children talking about the mess, and how it needs to be cleaned up. This made me think of their connections and past experiences outside of the centre, maybe parents have cleaned up leaves etc. at their own homes. Maybe it was these connections from outside and also within the centre that enabled them to recall the purpose of the brush and shovel to clean up the leaves. In using this simple tool the children as you mentioned are learning to care for their environment. This early learning of respecting and caring for papatuanuku will set the foundations for the future. It is up to us to encourage our children to care for their environment for the generations to come, and starting so simply as using a brush and shovel will spark this learning.

To further extend this learning of caring for papatuanuku, the children could start other goals of cleaning up the environment. Such as rubbish collections and learning about and using technology to research forms of recycling.